Par Jean-Marc Aubert
Published on Jan 17, 24 at 6:42 p.m. See my news Follow Métropolitain
The new phenomenon is confirmed at Metropolitan : grocery store operators located in Montpellier circumvent administrative closure orders of the prefect of Hérault. A Montpellier merchant is fighting these actions, “which are harmful to the profession, not to mention the tobacconists who are victims of unfair competition.”
How’s it going ? Grocers here have found a solution in recent months: when they are informed of an administrative closure decided by the prefecture, in the hours that follow, the curtain is lowered, of course, but another location is open nearby , in the same artery.
These small premises, car box style, are very discreet, without signs or signs on the front, like Metropolitan was able to see it. But these are still illegal outlets.
According to testimonies that we have collected, traders close in particular to the Laissac halls, the Figuerolles district and the Saint-Martin city, continued to receive customers to sell goods. contraband tobaccocanisters of nitrous oxidethe use of which is diverted to inhale laughing gas, alcohol to minors or beyond the hours authorized by the decrees of the prefecture and the City of Montpellier.
Reinforced controls
THE police checks -national and municipal- having been reinforced and the offenses multiplied, the prefect of Hérault, on the basis of the reports sent to him, regularly takes significant sanctions, with depending on the case, in particular if there is a repeat offense, a closure administrative period which can now reach six months.
“These grocers are hit in the wallet, because a closure of six months, three months, or even one month leads to high deadweight losses and paralyzes their business. They therefore decided to open clandestine premises near closed stores, usually used to store stocks of tobacco and other items highly sought after by customers,” reveals this Montpellier trader, very aware of this reality.
Poster and arrow
Word of mouth, which works without any problem, allows buyers accustomed to fraudulently obtaining supplies from these establishments, particularly those open at night, to avoid finding themselves short of cigarettes, nitrous oxide capsules and other items, thus preventing them from thus to look for other places. But, grocers, hardly discreet, do not hesitate to put up a small notice on the closed curtain or on an adjoining door, where the new place to do your shopping is mentioned, with an arrow in support.
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Operators of grocery stores and shisha bars engage, moreover, in a scheme which is much older than the clandestine transfers of official sales premises, closed by the prefect: to avoid searches and seizures of illicit products, during unannounced checks by the police and customs services, stocks of tobacco, including hookah, nitrous oxide canisters, and even narcotics are hidden in vehicles parked nearby…
“It’s incredible how imaginative they are! », says this Montpellier trader, who in his spare time, has decided to turn into a detective, even if it means hiding discreetly at night: “This trafficking can no longer continue”. It should be a hit with his fellow tobacconists!
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2024-01-17 18:33:08
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